In the Arctic Language Development Fun

This winter I’ve had so much fun incorporating speech and language goals into an arctic themed lesson that I created for my clients in preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade.

Since we still have about one month left of winter, I’d love to share what I’ve been doing.

It all started with a few bags of beans and this tube of figurines I purchased at the arts and crafts store Michaels (with a handy 40% coupon!). These figurines are also available on Amazon, click the image below:

Amazon affiliate links included.

I created a hide and find sensory bin that allowed my clients to discover various animals and objects typically found in the Arctic. Through this simple, hands on play, I can introduce, name and describe various animals and objects using child friendly definitions.

I also give fun facts about each so the children learn interesting tidbits and more easily retain new vocabulary and build associations.

Introducing new vocabulary through hands-on play is fun and especially beneficial for children who are kinesthetic learners.

I’m not the only SLP who had the creative idea to make an arctic inspired sensory bin.

Melissa Bostian’s of Fit Speech Girl also created a super fun arctic sensory bin. She and I both had the same idea to not only use figurines (and blue gem glass?!) but also to use a visual to help our little ones.

Seeing that my clients had so much fun with the sensory bin, I took it a step further by designing various hands on activities and worksheets that allowed children to further review vocabulary, formulate thoughts, and expand ideas.

These are my puzzle pieces:

This is a Following Directions Barrier Game Worksheet (e.g. put the beluga whale in the water next to the seal).

Here are wh-questions with visuals (the child circles the correct answer):

For a limited time only, my entire packet will be available for FREE Please click the image below to download your copy! Directions on how to use worksheets are included. Enjoy!

Children’s Books to Further Enhance Learning about the Arctic:

Have a toddler? Here is a how I use sensory bins with toddlers to get them talking!! Click the image below to learn more:

Kimberly Scanlon, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist, an author and a mother. As the owner of Scanlon Speech Therapy, LLC, a unique boutique practice in Bergen County, Kimberly embraces individuality and treats the whole person. Her goal is to spread compassion, hope, and some speech, language and literacy tips one moment, one person at a time. Her first book,My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development and her second book,Learning to Read is a Ball are available for purchase online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Kimberly O. Scanlon MA, CCC-SLP

Founder and Director, Kimberly Scanlon is a language and literacy development expert and author of My Toddler Talks: Strategies and Activities to Promote Your Child’s Language Development, and the interactive picture book, Learning to Read is a Ball.